#Archaeology31 #Gender

Often we talk about 'craftsmen', 'craftsmanship', 'he did' etc etc.....

But there is nothing - not one thing - that suggests goldsmithing was carried out by men only.

Thread.

In medieval London, several female goldsmiths are recorded and we work with female goldsmiths and silversmiths who are more than capable.

There is no physical necessity in the craft that means it could not be carried out by women.

If we are correct in our belief that goldsmithing in the Iron Age was likely family groups, or kin apprenticeships, then the younger and more immersively you start to learn, the better skill you get.

And in that situation it's unlikely that daughters, nieces etc would be refused..... Why would they be?

So we tend to think that this scene by @TomBjorklundArt would not be unusual...